The Relationship Between Fear Avoidance Beliefs and Low Back Pain in CrossFit Participants
Date of Award
Spring 4-3-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (PhD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the relationships between fear avoidance, low back pain (LBP), and disability in CrossFit (CF) participants in the greater Twin Cities area in Minnesota with correlations between the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire for physical activity (FABQpa). 151 CF participants voluntarily completed the survey, including demographic information, LBP characteristics, the ODI, the RMDQ, and the FABQpa. Results showed that for CF participants with current LBP, duration had a large effect on fear avoidance (ɲ = .519 and ɲ2 = .269), and for those who reported a history of LBP, duration also had a large positive effect on fear avoidance (ɲ = .576 and ɲ2 = .332). There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between ODI and RMDQ (r = 0.84, P < .001), RMDQ and the FABQpa (r = 0.62, P < .001), and ODI and FABQpa (r = 0.65, P < .001). Results show that ODI, RMDQ, and FABQpa scores have a positive correlation in CF participants who either have LBP, a history of LBP, or both currently and a history of LBP. The duration and history of LBP significantly affect fear avoidance, as determined by the FABQpa. A statistically significant positive correlation existed between the ODI, RMDQ, and FABQpa (P < .001). CF participants in this study showed similar correlations between the ODI, RMDQ, and FABQ compared to the general population but demonstrated lower overall scores in each category. The present study further supports previous research, showing physical activity holds an inverse relationship with LBP and disability, while fear avoidance beliefs are positively correlated with LBP. Training history was not found to have a significant impact.